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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 7th, 2015–Feb 8th, 2015
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Olympics.

Heightened avalanche danger will be limited to above treeline in the Olympics on Saturday.

Detailed Forecast

A break between systems is expected during the day Sunday. This should give time for any recent shallow storm slab or wet new snow to settle and possibly refreeze to form new surface crust layers. This should allow for a decreasing danger at higher elevations where more recent snow may have accumulated. Watch for wind transported new snow on some higher elevation lee slopes, mainly N-E facing.

At mid and lower elevations, little to no snowcover will not generally pose an avalanche threat.

Snowpack Discussion

The small amount of new snow received this week at Hurricane Ridge has been washed away by heavy rains Thursday and Friday.

Temperatures have cooled slightly Saturday, enough to deposit an inch or two of heavy wet snow at the Hurricane Ridge elevations, near 5000 feet.  

The last observations from Hurricane Ridge in late January found snowdepths averaging 40-80 cm on the N slopes with a few drifts above 1 meter above treeline areas accessible from Hurricane Ridge. Near and below treeline, snow cover remains patchy. 

Strong, well bonded snow at higher elevations on shaded terrain, consisting of melt forms and crusts with shallow recent new snow amounts are not posing a significant avalanche problem at this time.

There is currently not enough snow near and below treeline at Hurricane to cause an avalanche danger. 

 

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

Release of a soft cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within the storm snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slab problems typically last between a few hours and few days. Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

 

You can reduce your risk from Storm Slabs by waiting a day or two after a storm before venturing into steep terrain. Storm slabs are most dangerous on slopes with terrain traps, such as timber, gullies, over cliffs, or terrain features that make it difficult for a rider to escape off the side.

 

Storm slabs usually stabilize within a few days, and release at or below the trigger point. They exist throughout the terrain, and can be avoided by waiting for the storm snow to stabilize.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 1